A Short TREATISE Of the Excellency of BEES, HONEY, MEAD and METHEGLIN; With their Singular and Approved VERTVES.  By T. R. Med. Dr. 

CHAP. I. Of BEES and their Excellency.  
PLINY that great Naturalist (Lib. 2. pag. 5.) to express the most transcendent Excellency of the Nature of Bees, saith thus, viz. Inter omnia Insecta Principatus Apibus, & jure praecipua admiratio; solis ex eo genere hominum causâ genitis: Of all Infects, Bees are the Chief, and the most worthy to be had in Admiration, being the only things of that kind, which are bred for the behoof of Man.  
He says further (Lib. 2. Chap. 10. pag. 3.) That the Work and Fruit of of the little Bee, is so great and wonderful, so comely for Order and Beauty; so Excellent for Art, Wisdom and Ingenuity; and so full of Pleasure with abundant Profit and little Charge: That the Contemplation of which may very well beseem an ingenious Nature: And therefore (not without cause) are the Bees called the Muse's Birds: Apes, cum causâ, Musarum dicuntur volucres (Varro Lib. 3. Cap. 15.)  
The Contemplation and Love of which, did so ravish those Ancient and great Bee Masters, viz. Aristomachus and Piliscus (as Pliny reporteth in his Natural History, Lib. 11. Cap. 9) that they were pleased to spend most of their time, in this pleasing Business.  
Further, Aristotle himself, the Ancient and great Philosopher, thought his Historia Animalium very lame and imperfect, unless he had inserted a Particular Tract of the Nature of Bees: of which he discourseth more at large, than he doth of any other living Creatures.  
Pliny likewise in his Natural History, is very copious in and about this Melifluous Subject. Besides divers others that have written thereof, as Collumella Varro, Palladius and Averro, etc. Yea, the Learned and Grave Fathers of the Church (St. Ambrose and St. Isodore) have thought it a Subject fit for their Pens.  
Unto which I might add, both for Ornament and Authority, infinite others of these our later times, etc.  
Amongst which, I cannot but with all due Respect, approve of the late Invention of the New Bee-Houses and Colonies (a Prospect of which may be seen, in his Majesty's Garden, in St. James' Park) so much admired and approved of, by the Royal Society at Gresham College in London; and wish the Management thereof, might fall into the hands of such Ingenious Persons, as might further improve so useful an Invention, being already encouraged, by his gracious Majesty, and since by divers persons of Honour.  
Make but Inspection through their transparent Windows (before and behind the Colonies) and you cannot choose but admire, the Bees most incomparable and ingenious works, curiously adorned, fitted and accomplished by assiduous Industry.  
The Curiosity of their Fabric, with its exquisite Cells (when first I viewed) on a sudden forced me into an unwonted Ecstasy, with extreme Admiration; as it did the most Experienced Mr. Charles Butler, in his History of Bees, Cap. 6. pag. 103. n. 9 whose Condign Merits, neither Envy nor injurious Time shall ever obliterate, or bury in oblivion: nor anticipate my thoughts from perusing his Feminine Monarchy 
Which when I Read; I'll to the World profess,  
My Debt to him (love, honour, thankfulness)   
And in the same acknowledgement, admire the curious Buildings of these small Infects or pretty Bees; often divertising myself with this Quaere, viz.  Quid non Solertia Vincat? etc. 
And whilst (Reader) I admire the many Myriads of both Sexes, with their admired Assiduity:  
Non  
Miraris Arte Conditas mirâ Domos  
Opesque Regales in his reconditas?  
Solertia & Labour  
Fiunt Omnia   

CHAP. II. Of HONEY, and its Singular VERTVES.  
NEXT I shall Treat of the Profits which arise from Bees, viz. HONY, with the ordering and use of Meath, Mead, Hydromel and Metheglin, with their singular Virtues, for the Use and Comfort of Mankind.  
HONY, for the Extracting of which, the most natural and seasonable time is in August (i e. from the end of Dog days, until the sixth day of September or thereabouts) because till then the Combs are full of Skadons (which deceive the Hony-Men: make the Hive heavier and the Honey worse) for the Skadons, Maggots, and young Bees, as well as the Sandarak, corrupt the same (experienced by the Ancient Bee-Master Collumella, Lib. 9 Cap. 15.) viz. Pulli & rubroe sordes sunt Mali saporis, et succo suo mella corrumpunt.  
The time aforementioned for the running and working of Honey (viz. English Hony) is most proper fit and convenient, except in Hot Countries, where their Gathering lasts longer.  
Out of the new Invented Colonies, by reason of their neat contrivance, and most ingenious Shutters, is drawn the most Nectarian and best Honey (for the Bees by reason of the said Shutters, there is no necessity of killing them, with either the Smoke of Brimstone, Bunt, Tutchwood, or Mushroom's) which makes the Honey smell of smoke, and so consequently renders it much worse) for indeed it were a pity to reward with Death, those pretty and industrious Animals, out of whose Colonies we receive such vast profits, as Honey and Wax (no way adulterated) far excelling the other in Gust and Odour.  
Of all Honey that which runneth of itself, is most commendable. 'Tis called (by our best Bee-Masters) Acoeton or the finest Nectar, which for its incorrupted purity, (by others) is called Virgin Hony: because (as Plantius in Fernel. Lib. 7. Method. Med) Quod, è Favis sponte primùm defluit, virgineum Mel, vulgo appellatur.  
Whereof there are two sorts, viz. Right Virgin-Honey (which is of a Swarm, and runs of itself) 2. Bastard Virgin-Hony (or rather to be called the finest Ordinary) Varro Chap. 6. num 30.) which though it be of the same Swarm, yet being mixed with other and laid up in corrupter Vessels, and not in the pure Virgin Cells is rendered much inferior to the true Virgin Hony.  
The differences and degrees of Honey in goodness, are as well Natural as Artificial.  
For 'tis made better or worse, by the ordering or handling of it: so is it in itself better or worse, according to the different Condition of the Soil where it is gathered: for Varro Cap. 6 ●um 32. affirmeth) that the Champain Hony, is accounted much better than the Heath Hony, although they be ordered both alike.  
Good Honey, when well wrought and fermented hath these properties and excellent Qualities, whereby it is known and distinguished; viz. It is clear, odoriferous, yellow like pale Gold: but right Virgin Honey is more crystalline at the first, viz. sharp, sweet, and pleasant to the Taste, of a mean consistence between thick and thin, so clammy that being taken up upon your Finger's end, in falling it will not part, but hang together like a long string) as that useth to do, which is clarified. Plant. in Fern. Lib. 7. de Oxymelite. viz.  Mel probum est, quod inter Crassimum & tenuissimum est mediocre; sapore dulcissimum & acerrimum; simulque dulcedinis sensum inferens, et vellicatu pungens linguam, calore pallidumat subrutilum, nec non pellucidum, odoratum & recentissimum; quodque sublatum, non facile ob sequacem lentorem abrumpatur; pondere grave, & inter Coquendum spumae parum emittens. 
This good Honey (especially that part which is in the bottom) will in time grow hard, (like unto Corny-Hony, which is in the uppermost part of the Combs) such as is the Honey of Spain, and Narbona in France.  
So having given you, and Account of the best Honey, I shall likewise show its singular Virtues, viz.  

VIRTUES.  
It is hot and dry in the second Degree; It is of subtle and thin parts, and easily passeth into all the parts of the Body. 'Tis abstersive with some Acidity, and therefore it openeth all obstructions. It cleareth the Breast and Lungs of those Humours which fall upon them from the Head: 'Tis Laxative and purgeth the foulness of the Body, and provoketh Urine; it renders a good Appetite, and cleanseth the Stomach from its Phlegm, Filth and Crudities; It purgeth away those things which offend the Eyesight. It nourishes very much; It stirs up and highly preserves natural heat; and thereby doth not only prolong, but likewise doth very much Solace old Age. It preserveth all things that are put into it: It is a Sovereign Medicine both for inward and outward Maladies. It helpeth the grief of the Jaws and Scurvy; 'tis good against the Quinsy and sore Throat; 'tis Drunk with good success against the biting of Serpents or Mad Dogs. Lastly in respect of which great and most admirable Virtues (the right composition of those great Antidotes (viz. Mithridate and Andromachus Treacle) although they consist; the one of more than fifty, the other of more than sixty Ingredients) requires thrice so much Honey, as it doth of all the rest.  
All which Premises considered; no Marvel that King Solomon said; My Son eat Honey, for it is good. Yea Honey, if it be pure and fine, is so good in itself, that it must needs be good for them whose queasy Stomaches are averse to it.  
Hony is most fit for old Men, etc. And for such as are Phlegmatic, or subject to Rheums; and 'tis generally good for all those that are of Cold Constitutions.  
In fine, The Quintessence of Honey, is of such efficacy; that if any be dying, and presently doth drink but two or three Drams, he will suddenly Revive.  
Furthermore, if you but wash any Wound therewith, or other Sore, it will heal it with all the speed immaginable,  
I need say no more in Praise of its most tramscendent Virtues; But only thus much, Viz. Experto Crede Roberto.    

CHAP. III. MEAD HYDROMEL and METHEGLIN, With their Uses and singular VERTVES.  
THERE are two sorts of Hydromel, viz. Mead and Metheglin.  
For the making of Mead, I shall only give you a hint or two (though not my Design here to insert)  
If the Must, when it is altogether be not strong enough, to bear an Egg, the breadth of two pence above it: then put so much of your choicest white Honey into it, as will give it that strength; then give it its fit boiling, etc. After this, put in the Herbs and Spices, and so let it boil a quarter of an hour longer.  
The end of boiling is throughly to incorporate the Mead and the Honey (prepared and ordered for that purpose) and to purge out the dross and all other impurities.  
Which being once done, any longer boiling is unproffitable, as diminishing more the quantity then increasing the strength and goodness of the Mead.  
As soon as it is boiled enough, take it from the Fire, and set it a cooling: the next day separate the pure from the impure, still reserving the best for Use: and then ordering it as the Artist pleaseth, in his best discretion: For the right making of which, I much approve of Mr. Combs his way, at the Bee-House and Colony, in St. Bartholomew Lane; In whose Habitation I have seen considerable quantities of the best English Honey and Mead.  
Metheglin is only a Stronger Hydromel: being unto Mead (as Vinum to Lora) for it beareth an Egg the breadth of six pence, and is usually made with more Honey and less Water, receiving into its Composition, as well wholesome and sweet Herbs, as also a large quantity of proper and fit Spices, etc.  

MEAD, with its Singular VERTVES.  
IT has all the singular Virtues of Hony , with this Addition:  
First it is equally, if not more Cordial than Old Malago, and therefore may not undeservedly be called Sacks-Master.  
Secondly it makes good Blood (by often drinking it) purging and carrying off all its impurities, whereby its obstructions are soon removed, and its circulation much bettered. It recreates the Spirits (when dull and stupid) and gives them that solace, which will add much to their contentment; 'tis a proper and wholesome Liquor to be drunk at any season of the Year; for what ill and crude wines leave behind them, this takes off. I need say no more, of its Excellent Qualities: but first Taste, and then Judge, that its further goodness may both Answer and Crown its End with a Probatum est.    
FINIS.